Congratulations 🎉 on reaching the impressive milestone of 100,000 views 3 July 2024.

I was pretty shocked when i heared this bc i wad borned in thailand and i pretty much go on vacatations in koh tao since i was a kid and last year i also where there 2 weeks i never rlly knew this and i dindt noticed it when i was there but i know it can be pretty dangerous but its safe too and its pretty cheap, fun to go

The earthquake should have been the warning. They should have move out of the beaches as soon as hearing the news of the earthquake.

My grandparents died in the Thailand tsunami 😢

What's even more amazing is how the Sentinelese tribe didn't suffer the huge losses like so-called modern people. Thousands of years with their close connection to their land and the Earth saved them. I know it caused more than a few great chagrin when the helicopter they sent to see hoped for devastation only to get the same arrows and spears as usual.

I was in Koh Tao for 1 Week this April 2024 for my Open Water Scuba Diving License. Knowing nothing about that side - past of the Island and nobody talked about it also. I had a very good time and a safe feeling on the island and all people where friendly in the daytime and late nighttime. It would be interesting to see if i would have felt differently and perceived things differently if i had known these stories.

been there ~2000 and 2018, it changed a lot lol i dont have problems believing this

I went to Koh Tao for a week back in 2001, seems like I was lucky to get out alive!

fck koh tao....

I fucking dont understant how everyone likes Thailand. I was there I didn't like nothing there, horrible people. Scams and ANT land. Only tropic nature some places, that's it.

Best time to go is end of Nov to April, after that it gets progressively wetter but still boiling hot and low season

Been about 15 times, fav place is Kai Bae beach, it’s quite small but has everything you need, Kai Bae beach resort is really good especially if you get somewhere right on the beach, books up quickly though, Garden resort is about in the middle really nice, good prices and the guy who owns it “Mouse” is great.

Why are you driving on the wrong side of the road??!!

Have been living in Thailand for years, in many islands. There is Mafia everywhere, especially in the most touristic islands. Koh Tao is not the only place people dies. But you don't get any trouble if you are just the normal tourist. Thai people are very kind and friendly but also very proud. Some of them are extreme and even crazy, not only mafia. If you have a different with a thai person and he start to get mad, even if you didn't do anything wrong, just say sorry and be on your way, swallow your pride because they are capable of everything. I don't say that in a mean way, this is their culture and way of facing dishonor. People should be aware of that in general even if it's not mafia. You are not in your country, and Asia is not like occidental countries. And like you said, there is no real law in islands like those, they are noman's lands because of corruption and the time it takes to other (real) police force to reach those islands. So even more important to not have conflict with local. If you start to have one, mafia or not, same, just be on your way, it is what it is. Not defending them, those murders are horrible, but if you are a big traveler, you know that you are not home, and police in poor countries are mostly corrupted. Don't put yourself in trouble, don't try to be a hero, avoid all conflict and enjoy your holidays or travel

She charged you as u bargained to much on the bike serves you right

Do not stay in any of these unless your a bum

I’ve watched Thailand getting destroyed by the tourism since 1978 until now. Money brings greed . I still am here but the less touristy places to visit are getting fewer. Such a shame. I’ve seen or known a few “ suicided” people over the years. Here and the PI .

It took us a quick research for us to avoid this island during our trip in Thailand in 2018.

I was there for a month diving in early 2000’s, had no problems or didn’t see any. Had no idea of all this but thinking back and watching my old videos it kind of makes sense, it definitely had a local feel to some of the places we went. And never had a friendly feel about it either.

I lived in Koh Tao during Covid for almost a year. It was the safest place. I walked around at night alone, people even left motorbike keys at the bike, nothing was stolen. I also have many friends living on the island, many are business owners both Thais and foreigner, they are super happy to live on this paradise island. Surely there is a dark side like everywhere else. The island is super packed with tourists now.

I visited on 2017 for a dive trip. i was on my own and know about some of the stories. All was great until one night in a bar when i questioned my bill. i was surrounded by staff etc. I ended up speaking to one chap i had spoken to a few night before and he was fine. Bit scary though

I was in Pattaya in 1992...friend of mine had an argument with a food stand owner...he paid less than required and left...about half an hour later in a bar two guys showed up and convinced him verbally to pay...so mafia was/is operating everywhere...

This is a terrible video. You should be ashamed for portraying this beautiful island as anything other than that. Anyone who encounters a grizzly experience there was probably not raised properly. Treat your hosts badly and bad things happen. If you're a normal respectful person you won't see anything out of the ordinary.

Don’t mess with beautiful local girls

Been there a few times but didn’t have any issues. However, you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some Thai people don’t like swearing, or being loud. On the other hand there’s the scams. I had one try it on Koh samui, he didn’t notice I was filming. When I showed him later, he got nasty and asking for money. I said, ok, I’ll call the tourist police. Bastard spat at me 😡

230,000+ people killed. Insane...

Very informative article, thanks

I went there in 1990 and it wasnt developed then and a paradise.

Given it's history, why do tourists still go there ? I stayed in Pattaya for many years (anything from 2 weeks to 14 months at a time) despite the usual horror stories of death by misadventure. Serious injury aside, you can get in a cab and go straight to the airport at any hour of the day or night - that isn't the case on these little islands. With the exception of Farang suffering a nasty fall from a highrise, there are usually dozens of witnesses to violence in Pattaya or the nightlife precincts in Bangkok - apparently that is not the case on Koh Tao. As you said, there are better destinations - why tempt fate ?

A place full of meth and hookers is gonna have a dark side,plus greedy people exploiting tourist,no i would not bother

Shit hole

It would be interesting to know how many farangs have died on Koh Tao in the last 25 years.... seems to be lots of questions regarding the cause of these deaths....

The map in the movie The Beach points to about this position

I lived on Koh Tao for about 10 years working as a dive instructor. Worked for many dive shops including bans. I never had any issues, just don’t be stupid and you shouldn’t have any problems. Santi slashed a couple people will I was there…he liked those beer bottles…you didn’t mention the lederhosen guy that died from a cobra bite….allegedly…. He definitely stepped on a few toes …

So much bullcrap 😂 koh tao is amazing and much safer than any western city. Please keep on not going so it will remain an untouched paradise.

I worked as a diving instructor on Koh Tao in 1997. I was threatened by employees on Bans Diving & told that they would put concrete blocks around my feet & drop me off a boat. They also tried to beat me up. Its a beautiful island but there is a very dangerous side to it.

Hi - I work for a production company and we are making a documentary commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the tragedy. I was wondering if you had any information regarding the sources of the archive images and footage that you used? Thank you in advance

Been there twice never had any issues. Kind cool island 🏝️. Mind your own business and show respect 🫡 to locals..that’s it.

WOW!!! So glad you posted this and I watched it!! Everything up until this video had me awe inspired about perhaps living in Koh Tao but after seeing this I know “I” wouldn’t last one night there!! I would become one of these statistics!

We are going to Thailand tomorrow and will stay in Bangkok for 2 days. Today we want to go to Ko Tao because of the better weather, but now that I have seen this video I have doubts. Is it smart to go there?

Had to stop watching, the background music was too annoying. Never give up your passport, the owner's place could get turned over and the passport could end up in Syria.

Hey Buddy, you need to revisit your info on Micheal Sputhin owner of Big Blue Diving. You are 100 % wrong and need to sort it. He died on Samui after a bike accident.

Never felt safe when I visited in 2002 but to be fair I travelled in many remote places all over Thailand. Followed alot and constantly hsssled

God have mercy on their Souls, Amen 🙏

Thanks for putting this well researched video in front of people. I have lived in Thailand for 20 years, I wouldn't go even if my trip was paid for 🤐🤔

I was in Kamala beach at the time and very few people registered it a tsunami. Caught alot of people off guard and glad i was 25 ft above sea level as it happened so quickly. By the time people realized the severiaty it was usually too late. Dumb luck or unlucky play a massive role when dealing with nature.

Unseen? Not a single new video

People wont listen to the local warning, even ignoring the local airport staff when they approach just because they care for the tourist. Thailand is almost gun free country, already canabis legal,and sex business consider legal with sex worker anywhere in the country,town area i mean. Lots scam,lots crime,drugs sex and if u are lucky enough then u get the experience of organ removal when u wake up after sleeping with the stranger beauty(this happen nearby bordering area with cambodia/myanmar) so u can take this warning as a note and feel free to ignore it again as usual 😂

Be cautious in Thailand , they will always save face & coverup incriminations against their own

I got my butt eaten for the 1st time in koh tao, by a German blonde tourist . Great experience 👍